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Say it in Scots: Flit

FLIT means to convey, remove or shift (a person or thing) from one place to another. First attested in Scots in the 14th century, it derives from the Old Norse flytja. It is now most commonly used in the sense of moving house; a “flitting” is the usual way to refer to a household removal, even in the speech of many who don’t regard themselves as habitual speakers of Scots.

A “muinlicht flit” takes place under cover of darkness, generally to escape one’s creditors. The phrase can be used literally or figuratively of people who escape unpleasantness.

Belief is still current in the saying “a Saturday’s flit is a short sit”. In 2003, the Belfast Telegraph found that 15% of a hospital’s patients refused to check out on a Saturday, citing this phrase.

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